Deadline: 31 October 2017
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking applications for its Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program to provide funding to support students’ training and completion of master’s and/or doctoral degree programs in identified national need areas within the Food, Agricultural, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANRHS).
Objectives
- To support the training of new students at the master’s and doctoral levels, in order to fill nationally identified expertise shortage areas in the FANRHS.
- To increase the number, quality and diversity of students in the food, agricultural and related sciences by recruiting outstanding students, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented groups to enter and complete graduate training in these areas.
- To ensure that the National Needs Fellows build science competencies through research and extension activities, and experience and engagement in an international setting within the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) in FANRHS through the IRTA awards.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,100,000
- Award Ceiling: $262,500
- Award Floor: $4,500
Eligibility Criteria
The grantee institutions develop the selection criteria and it is their responsibility to award fellowships to high caliber students in superior academic standing. Only individuals who meet the eligibility requirements listed below will be awarded fellowships. In order for individuals to receive Fellowship stipend support they must:
- Be citizens or nationals of the United States of America as determined in accordance with Federal law.
- Have strong interest, as judged by the institution, in pursuing a degree in a national TESA; are preparing for a career as a food or agricultural or natural resources scientist or professional; are registered as full-time students; and
- Not have:
- Completed more than one semester or equivalent hours of full-time study as defined by the institution, or
- Been enrolled previously in the same academic program at the same degree level.
Eligible Projects
- Applicants may only submit proposals for Education/Teaching Projects.
- Single-function Education Projects develop human capital relevant to overall program goals for U.S. agriculture. Projects must focus on developing skills necessary for entry- and mid-level technical employment or for entering graduate programs in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.
- Educational activities must show direct alignment with one of the following:
- Increasing the number of graduates with the necessary technical skills for entry-level positions in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences;
- Improving the technical competencies needed for the workforce to ensure that U.S. agriculture remains globally competitive; or
- Enhancing the diversity of the workforce in food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via given website.
Eligible Country: United States
For more information, please visit Grants.gov.